Multiple unit mat winding machine



Feb.. 2,.1960 H, G,WANDS ETAL v 2,923,487

MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING 'MACHINE Filed DeC. 3l, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1`w o o M o O y lNvENToRS y: 4 :i M I| H Wu is f :is se l miv `A ORNEYFeb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs r-:TAL

MULTIPLE UNIT MAT wINnING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1956Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs ETAL MULTIPLE UNIT MAT wINDING MACHINE FiledDc. 31, 195s 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 www n THPSN NC .\R EL WL DD Mmm wx om H4a m w /07 w Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs ETAL 2,923,487

MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1956 e sheets-sheet 4 II 7 lNvENToRs Hou/HRD 6. WHA/05 msx/mga@ L. Mr PHL-'eso/V MLSQMIM,

TTQRNEY I Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs ETAL MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 31, 1956 Feb. 2, 1960 Filed Dec. 31,1956 H. G. WANDS ET AL MULTIPLE UNIT MA'l` WINDING MACHINE 6Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS Ho wenn 6. HLEXg/{VDE ORNEY United StatesPatent MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING MACHINE Howard G. Wands, Kansas City,M0., and Alexander L. McPherson, Prairie Village, Kans., assignors toGustin- Bacon Manufacturing Co., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation ofMissouri Application December 31, 1956, Serial No. 631,759

20 Claims. (Cl. 242'55.1)

' Our invention relates to a multiple unit mat winding machine and moreparticularly to an improved automaticallyindexing multiple unit vmachinefor winding lengths of a mat or bat of fibers about mandrels.

The copending application of Joseph F. Stephens, Serial No. 425,837, nowPatent No. 2,880,943, discloses an automatic mat winding machine havinga single, stationary winding unit adapted to receive an empty mandrel,to wrap a length of a mat of fibrous material about the mandrel and todischarge the wrapped mandrel. While this machine has a high rate ofproduction, its output is limited by the time Yrequired to discharge awrapped mandrel from the unit, to feed a new mandrel to the unit and tomanipulate the unit to winding position before the next windingoperation is begun.

The copending application of Joseph F. Stephens, Serial No.v 482,566,now Patent No. 2,82l,347, discloses an indexing m-at winding machineincludinga plurality of respective independent mat winding units eachcomprising a wrapping belt and its associated manipulating mechanism.The units in the machine disclosed in application Serial No. 482,566 arecarried by areel adapted to be stepped in rotation through successiverespective positions where an empty mandrel is fed to a winding unit,where a length of mat fed to the unit is wrapped around the emptymandrel, where the wrapped mandrel is discharged from the unit and backto the empty mandrel feed station. In this machine a feeding operation,a winding operation, and a wrapped mandrel discharge operationconcomitantly take place at each of the respective stations at which arespective winding unit is disposed.

While the indexing machine described in the said copending applicationSerial No. 482,566 operates satisfactorily in most instances, we havefound that the reel has a tendency to overrun owing to its rotarymovement through the successive stations of the machine. It will beappreciated that if the reel overruns at the end of a step of rotation,the machine must be stopped and the reel must be properly positionedbefore the Lneandrel feeding, winding, and discharge operations can gm.v

We have invented a multiple unit mat winding machine which represents animprovement over the machines disclosed in the said copendingapplications. OurV machine has a higher rate of production than themachine disclosed in the copending application Serial No. 425,837 sincean empty mandrel feed-operation and a wrapping operation aresimultaneously performed. Our improved machine is so constructed that itdoes not have the tendency to overrun of the machine disclosed inapplication Serial No. 482,566. As has been pointed out hereinabove, themachine described in application Serial No. 482,566 includes a pluralityof respective independent mat winding units, each of which unitscomprises an independent belt and associated tensioning means. Ourimproved multiple unit machine employs a single wrapping belt which iscommon to the winding units. Our machine is simpler the winding rolls ofboth units.

il ice in construction than multiple unit machines of the prior art.

One object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit mat windingmachine which has a `high rate of production.

Another object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit matwinding machine having little or no tendency to overrun the stations atwhich operations are performed.

A further object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit matwinding machine which is simpler in construction than multiple unitmachines of the prior art.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a multiple unitmat winding machine, the operation of which is mo-re certain than thatof multiple unit machines of the prior art.

Other and further objects of our invention will pear from thel followingdescription.

in general our invention contemplates the provision stationarily mountedcrankshaft and a reel p osi.ioned eccentrically with respect to thecrankshaft. Each of a pair of mat winding units has a pair of windingrolls. First pairs of arms pivotally carried by the crankshaft rotatablysupport the respective winding rolls. Second pairs of arms rotatablysupport'the respectivewinding .rolls on o-ne or the other of a pair ofrespective- Piyot shafts carried by the reel. The crankshaft is `commonto both units while a respective pivot shaft is associated with eachunit. A common wrapping belt passes over all We provide means foroscillating the reel between limit positions.l As the reel moves fromone limit position to the other, the

pivot shaft of one unit moves with respect to the crankshaft to drivethe unit arms to form a pocket of a portion of the belt about a mandrelcarried by the reel. At the same time, the pivot shaft of the other unitmoves to drive the other arms to extend a portion of the belt betweenthe winding rolls of the other unit. We provide means for driving thebelt to wrap a lengthrof mat fed tothe machine around the mandrel aboutwhich the pocket is formed.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instantspecification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and inwhich like reference numerals are winding. machine with parts brokenaway. v

Figure 2 is a sectional view of our multiple unit mat winding machinetaken along the line 2 2 of Figure l1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of our multiple unit mat winding machine with apart broken away taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevation of our multiple .unit matfwinding machine withparts broken `away taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of our multiple yunit matwinding machine showing the reel d rive.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of our multiple unit matwinding machine showing the reel drive.

Figure A7 is a fragmentary view of our multiple unit mat winding machineshowing the reel hydraulic stops.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the mat winding unitsof our multiple unit mat winding machine. Y

`Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of our multiple unit mat winding machineshowing the mandrel mounting means.

'Figure l0 is a schematic view of one form of electrical circuit whichmay be employed to 'control our matwinding machine. Y

More particularly referring now to Figures 1 to` 4 of the drawings, ourmachine includes a base frame, indicated generally by the referencecharacter 10, including 3 a back 12, Va front 14 and respective sides 16and 18. A number of casters 20 support our machine for movement to thelocation atwhich the machine is to be installed. Respective pairs ofrollers 22 and24 pivotally carried by the frame members 12 and 14support the eelfindiated generally by the reference `character 26,

of our-'mat winding machine. Reel -26 has respective sides `O and 30joined by struts 32 which complete the reel.V Bespective bearings 34 and36'Vcarried by supporting stands 38 and 40 on the frame sides 16 and 18rotatably `support a crankshaft 42 011l the frame 10.

sides 28 and 30 of reel 26, support winding roll 48 in bearv ingsl 54 onthe ends of arms 52 remote from shaft 42. A s econd pair of arms 56,pivotally carried by shaft 42 adjacent the respective sides 28 and 30,support winding roll 510 in bearings 58 carried by the ends of arms 56remote from shaft 42. A second pair of respective arms 60 are pivotallyYcarried by a shaft 62 xedly supported in blocks 64 in the respectivesides 28 and 30 of the reel-26.

The ends of arms 60 remote from shaft 62 carry bearings 66 which supportroll 48.

onA shaft 62. Bearings 7i) carried by the ends of arms 68 remote fromshaft 62 rotatably support roll 50. From theV foregoing it willbe seenthat the pairs of arms 52 and 56 support the respective rolls 48 and 50for movement about crankshaft 42 while the respective pairs of arms 60and 68 support rolls 48 and 50 for movement about thepivot shaft 62.

Each of the units 44 and 46 includes a pair of respective idler rolls 72and 74 pivotally carried by any convenient means such as bearings or thelike in the sides 28 and 30 of reel 26. The wrapping belt 76 ofourmachine is common to both units 44 and 46 and passes over theWrapping rolls and idler rolls of both units. We provide respectivetensioning rolls 78 and 80 for regulating the ten- We pivotally mount asecond pair of respective arms 68 sion on belt 74. We pivotallyl mountthe tensioning roll 78 on the ends of a pair of respective arms 82pivotally carried on braces 84 in the respective sides 28 and 30 of thereel 26. Each of the arms 82 carries a counterweight 86 on its endremote from the Vroll 78. The weights 86 normally urge roll 78 to movein a clockwise direction about the pivotv'points of arms 82 as viewed inifigure 2. Pneumatie cylinders 88 pivotally carried by the reel areadapted to be supplied with iluid under pressure to actuate piston rods90 pivotally connected to arms 8-2 by any convenient means such as pins92. The arrangement of cylinders 88 is such that when iluid underpressure istsupplied to the cylinders, piston rods 90 urge arms 82 tomove in a counterclockwise direction about their pivots 4against theaction of weights 86. In this manner, we force the tensioning roll 78against the surface of belt 76 properly to tension the belt. Tensioningroll 80 is supported between respective arms 94pivotally carried onbraces Y96 in the respective sides 28 and 30. Cylinders 98 pivotallycai-ried Y by sides 28 and 30 drive rods 100 pivotally connected toAarms 94 to-urge roll 80 inwardly of reel 26 against the action ofcounterweights 102 ycarried by arms 94 tortension belt 76.`

As can be seen by reference to Figure 2, in the condition of our machineshown, the wrapping rolls 48 and 50 of winding unit 44 are disposed toforma pocket of belt 76 about a mandrel 104 carried by the reel 2'6 in amanner tobe described hereinafter. At the same time, the `wrap-V `.pingrolls 48 and 50 of the unit 46 are separated to extend a length of thebelt 76 between the rolls. -We provide means for oscillating reel 26 toactuate the arms 52 and 56 andthe arms 60 and 68 `toV cause unit 44tovmove `to the Vposition occupied'by` uniti 46 and to 'causennit 46 tomove to the position occupied by unit 44. In the course of thismovement, unit 46 forms a pocket of belt 76 about a mandrel fed to thereel in a manner to be describedand t unit 44 opens 'to permit a wrappedmandrel to be re-z moved from the reel.

Referring now to Figures v3,5 and 6, a base 106 secured Vt0 trame .19 by.any @lavement mean @ugh `as Welded braces 108 carries a'pair of rails'110`and 1142. Acarriage 114 provided with wheels 116 `rests on rai1s110and 112.

We tix a cylinder 118 to the underside of carriage 114 by any convenientmeansl such as welding ori` the like.` A

piston 120 disposed within cylinder 118 earries a rod 122` pivotallyccnnectegi by a pin 1.244 to a statigary levis .126 We connect a iirstroller-operated exhaust control valve 246 and a flow restricting device`250` `tol the exhaust port of a quick-exhaust valve 128 leading intocylinder 118 i 245 connects a solenoid operated valve `247 to` asuitable source (not shown) of uid under pressure. Respective 1 pipes249 and 251 connect the outlet passagesof valve 247 to the respectiveinlet ports `of valves 128 and 130. Valve v247 is adapted when actuatedin a manner 4to be described to connect one of the pipes 249 and 251 tothe source of uid underpressure while blocking the other of the pipes.

Respective camftracks Y254 and 256 are mounted on carriage V114 byconvenient means to actuate the rollers of valves 246 and 248. t

The quick-exhaust valves 128 and13 0 serve as check valves ordellectorst in the exhaust system of the cylinder 118.- Inletuidadmitted toieither of the valves 128 or 1-30 closes the valve exhaustport andows directly into Vcylinder 118. Exhaust airf leaving thecylinder 118 through one of the valves 128 `or 130 closes `the valveinlet port and exhausts either through the corresponding roller-operatedAvalve 246 or 248, if the last-named valve is open, or through theassociated ilow restrictor 250 or It will be appreciated that, owing tothe unsymmetrical disposition of the pocket-forming rolls of therespective i winding units 44 and 46 ofthe machine `in most positions ofreel 26, machine. It will further be apparent that this unbalance varieswith thepositionof the reel in itsmovement between the two positions towhich itis moved in successive operations.

this unbalance from v Cam tracks 254and 256 are so shapedas to actuatevalves 246 and 248 to accomplish this end.` The arrangement is suchthat, in one direction of movement ofthe reel 26, the valve 24,6 or2.48`connected to the side of cylinder 1-18 l from which fluid is beingexhausted lisopened during the portions of the movement at which 4theunbalance is greatest.v In the Yarrangement shown, this unbalance isgreatest in the region of the beginning and in the region of the end ofmovement of reel 26, in which regions the pocket-forming rollsy 48"and50 of one of the units 46 and 44' are rnear pocket-forming position.

When reel 26 is to bemoved in a. counterclockwise direction,rvalve 247Ais actuated `to supply fluid` to valve 130` to movecarriage 114 to theright as viewed in Figure 6.V The` uid system `operates. in the mannerdescribed hereinabove to `move the reel; When reel 26 is to be mov ld aclockwise direction, valve 247 is actuated to connect'valve 128 totheysource of iluid` underpressure.

We secure a rack 182 to theupper surface of carriage 114 by anyconvenient m'eans such as welding or the like.

I Rack 132 engages a pinion 134 carriedby4 a shaft 136 for rotation withit. A bearing 138 carried bythe frame 10rotatablysupports shaft 136. Theend .nf shaft A136 a certain amount of unbalance exists in the We employthe` cam voperated valves `246 i and 248 to control the exhaust ofcylinder 118 to prevent disrupting the machine operation.`

.ders 150 and 152. v172 in pipe 170. When reel 26 approaches the end ofremote from pinion 134 carries a sprocket wheel 140 adapted to drive achain 142. Chain 142 passes around a sprocket wheel 144 carried by side30 of reel 26. As carriage 114 is driven to the position shown in Figure6, sprocket wheel 140 drives chain 142 to rotate reel 26. As the reelrotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawings, therespective pivot shafts ofthe units 44 and 46 move with respect to thecrankshaft 42 to drive the respective arms 52 and 56 and arms 60 and 68to cause unit 44 to open its pocket and to cause unit 46 to closebelt 76about a mandrel.

We provide means for limiting the movement of our reel 26 in eitherdirection under the intiuence of carriage 114. Referring moreparticularly to Figures 4 and 7,

vmember 18 supports a pair of spaced brackets 146 and 148 which carryrespective hydraulic cylinders 150 and 152. Piston rods 154 and 156associated with the cylinders 150 and 152 are connected by a link 158.We pivotally mount an arm 160 on a pin 162 carried by a bracket 164supported on brackets `146 and 148. The side 28 of reel 26 carries apair of substantially diametrically oppositely disposed pins 166 adaptedto engage a pin 168 carried by an end of the lever arm 160. In onedirection of movement of reel 26, one pin 166 engages pin 168 to urgelever 160 to move in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot pin162. In the other direction of move- -ment of reel 26, the other pin 166engages pin 168 to move lever 160 in a clockwiseY direction. We dispose:the end of lever 160 remote from pin 168 in a slot in link 158. A fluidpipe 170 connects the interiors of the cylin- We dispose a iiowrestricting valve its movement in one direction to urge lever 160 in acounterclockwise direction, the lever'urges rod 156 to the right asviewed in Figure 7 to force uid from cylinder 152, through valve 172 andinto cylinder 150. Owing to the connection between rods 154 and 156provided by the link 158, as rod 156 is driven to the right as viewed inFigure 7 rod 154 is also moved to the rightto permit entry of uid intocylinder 150. It will be seen that we have provided a hydraulic stopincluding a closed hydraulic system having a flow restricting valvethrough which fluid is forced from one cylinder to another. Thishydraulic stop limits the movement of reel 26 in either direction ofrotation of the reel under the inuence of carriage 114,

Referring now to Figures 2 and 9, a supply of mandrels 174, about whichlengths of a mat of insulating material are to be wrapped, are containedin a magazine 176 supported in any convenient manner. with a pair ofmandrel support means for each of the winding units 44 and 46. One ofthese units includes a pairof live centers 178 and 180 anda pair ofrespective V blocks 182 and 184 carried by the respective reel sides 28and 30. A spring 186 normally urges center 180 to the left as viewed inFigure 9 to engage the hollow mandrel shaft 188. The other live center178 is adapted to be actuated by an air cylinder 190 alternatelysupplied with fluid under pressure or connected to the atmosphere by acontrol valve 192. In loading a mandrel on the reel 26 the machineoperator places the mandrel shaft 188 in V blocks 182 and 184 betweencenters 178 and 180. He then actuates valve 192 to connect cyl-V inder190to a source of uid under pressure to force center 178 to the right asviewed in Figure 9 properly to position the mandrel 174 and to hold themandrel in position for winding. It is to be understood that a mandrelsupport means including a pair of centers 178 and 180 is associated witheach of the winding units 44 and 46 carried by reel 26. v

Referring now to Figures 4 and 8, a framework, indicated generally bythe reference character 194 supports a motor 196 which drives a shaft198. V belts 200 driven by shaft 198 drive the input shaft 202 of Aagear boxv 204.

The output shaft 206,'of gear boxv204 carries for rotation'l Reel 26 isprovided` with it a sprocket wheel 208 which drives a .chain 210, Chain210 drives a sprocket wheel 212 carried by a power sleeve rotatablysupported on crankshaft 42. Sleeve 213 also carries for rotation with ita sprocket wheel 214 which drives a chain 216. Respective idler sprocketwheels 218 and 220 rotatably carried on the arm '52 of unit 44 guide4chain 216 to a sprocket wheel 222 carried by the driving member of acam clutch 224, the driven member of which is fixed on the shaft ofwinding roll 48 of unit 44 for rotation with it. As the sleeve 213rotates, it drives roll 48 through the medium of chain 216. `An'- othersprocket wheel 226 fixed on sleeve 213 forrrot'ation with it, drives thechain 228 which is guided byr respective sprocket Wheels 230 and 232rotatably supported on the arm 52 of unit 46 to a sprocket wheel 234carried by the driving member of a cam clutch 236, the driven member ofwhich is fixed on the shaft of wrapping roll 48 of unit 46 Vfor rotationwith it. p From the foregoing it will be seen that as sleeve 213 isdriven, sprocket wheels 214 and 226 drive the respective wrapping rolls48 through the medium of chains 216 and 228 to drive the belt 76associated with lthe winding units. It is to be understood that camclutches 224y and 236 permit the winding rolls to free-wheel as the reel26 is oscillated between its two positions while permitting chains 216and 228 to be driven during a'winding operation. Itis to be understoodthat we may, if desired, drive rolls 50 of the units 44 and 46, ratherthan the rolls 48. In the condition of our machine shown in Figure 2,unit 44 is disposed to form a pocket of belt 76 about a mandrel 104 tobe wrapped. Unit 46 is positioned topermit la wrapped mandrel to beremoved from its centers 178 and 180 and to permita fresh mandrel to beloaded on the centers. A mat conveyor, indicated generally by thereference character 238, is driven in a manner known to the art in thedirection of the arrow shown in Figure 2 to advance a length 240 of amat or bat of fibrousl material to the nip between belt 76 and theunderside of mandrel 104. The belt wraps -the length 240 around themandrel 104. The tensioning rolls 78 and 80 'permit the pocket of thebelt about a mandrel 104 to expand to permit this winding. A wrappedmandrel carried by the mandrel supports associated with unit 46 isremoved by the machine operator and placed on a discharge conveyorindicated generally by the reference character 242. Conveyor 242 conveysthe wrapped mandrel away from the machine in the direction of the arrowshown abovethe conveyor in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 10, one form of electrical con- Y v relaywinding PR between conductors 262 and 264. The

light source 270 and photocell 272 are disposed on opposite sides of themachine in the path of a length of material being fed to the machine.Respective receptacles 274 and 276 adapted to carry the light source andphotocell can be seen by reference to Figures 3 and 4. Before a lengthof material being fed enters between light source 270`and photocell 272the photocelll Vconducts with the result vthat relay winding PR isenergized. We connect a normally elo-sed switch PR-l in series With anautomatic timer clutch TC between conductors 262 and 2-64. Switch PR-lis shown in its open position in Figure 10, which position correspondsto the condition of the apparatus in which no lenght of materialinterrupts the light beam from source 270. When a length of materialinterrupts the beam from source 270,' tube 272 isV nonconductive andrelay winding PR is deenergized to permit switch PR-l to close tocomplete the circuit of clutch TC.

p We connect an automatic timer motor TM and a nor-l and 264 con# "asits leading edge emerges ing( switch, zTDR-z.,

switch.` The p osition of this switch is positionfof the machine.` isclosed and switch 3LS-2` is open. In the other; position et themnehine.the switch LSrl is nnen and svritelnl SLS-l2 is closed.`

lnally'closed switch TM-la'ssociated with rrlotor TMin series betweenconductor 262 and a conductor'278connested to theA common terminal ofclutch 'IC'and switch ll- L We connect a normally open switch'lfM-Z inseries with' the Winding tweenconductors 262 `and 264. normallyopenswitch associated with winding ITDR isconnectcd in series a limit switch11S between conductoi 278 anrleendnsiter 264- l Our control circuitincludes a iirst selector switch indiated Vg nerally by the referencecharacter 280 includin manual, ofand automatic position contacts, We'connect thefcontact arm n wrap up air solenoid 284'to the conductor264. We connectethe manual contact of switch 280 in series with afootswitch BB1` to conductor 262. A normally closed 'switch 1'1`DR-n2`associated with winding 1 TDR, a nor-A mally open" switch PR-2associated with Ywinding PR and the windingZr'fDRof alsecond time delayrelay are connected in series between the automatic contact of switch 280'and conductor 264. Switch 2,80 is shown inFigure l inthe positioncorresponding to` automatic operation of our machine. A conductor 286connects the common terminal of switch "lM-Z and winding ITDR to Vthecom rnonterrninal of switch 1'l`l )R-2 and switch PR-Z, Winding 2,84 isenipleyetl. le eenlrel niet 0r iets etait directed between lli.Snrfneeef a mandrel bee inawrepperl and. tl1 e wrnp1 insbelt 20, el our,machine le prtent the material being' fed. freni elinsins te the belt efrom the upper nip between the mandrel and the belt in the course of awrapping operationV The apparatus ferr performing this Operationisdiselnsed inthe eopending application, Serial No. 482,- 569,Y nowabandoned, tiled January V1,8, 1955, by Joseph F. Srephens, for aVPneumati Stripp Machines. As is shown in Figures 2 and 3, thisapparatusincludes a manifold 285 supplied with air under pressure trein a. pipe287 lgl'operated by thesolenoid'284. Manifold 285 sup. plies `a nnmberof pipes 291 provided with nozzles 2.93 for directing jets of air`against at the point at which theY leading edge of a length of materialbeing wrapped emerseelirenl the Peekel, formed between belt20.

Cnr contrel eirenit indicated generally by manual, ofi and automaticposition Ycontacts the reference character'lZSS, having and a switchseries with a limit switch 2VLSY and a safety SV `tfo the conductor 262.We connect the' autoarrn L29-adapted. t9 engage the C Onlaetsf Weennneel switch ,contact of switch 288 in series withra normally witch2l`DR-1, `a limit switch 3LS-1 and a convalve solenoid winding 292. Aseries'circuit includtri winding 29,4 is connected in parallel with theYcrcuitinclucling` switch ZTDR-l, switch SLS-1, and windingj292. Aushbutton switch PE2 includes two sets of contacts,

hfsetsareconnected between the manual position Contact of switch 2,88and the respective switches SLS-1 DdSLS-Z.

Asf'can he seen ,by reference to Figure 4, limit switch lL-Sgisfc'arriedby the machine frame and is adapted t0 be actuatedy by a cam 2 96 on thereel at the midpoint in the,- machine index cycle.` As can bej seen byreference to Figure l, limit ,switchH ZLS also is carried by themachinelxframe'and is actuated by an arm or the like Y carried by alivecenter as a mandrel is loaded. on the reel. lt prevents indexing of themachine unless a mandrel has been loaded on the machine. Limit switchesSLSf-l: and' SLS-2 form part of a single-pole double-throw determined bythe In one position switch SLS-1 The position of' switch 31A-LS as welllTDR of a'tirne delay relay be er for Mat Winding through the. medium ofa valve includes a second selecting` switch,

limit switch SLS-2 and a relayV 282 of switch'280 in `series with thesurface ofb'elt 2 0 intervals.

V247V to. supply fluid under pressure new mandrel may be placed on thereel'.

as the location of switchS maybe seen by, reference to Figure 3;

In operation of our mat winding machine with reel 26 in a position atwhich unit 44 forms a pocket of the belt 76 about an empty mandrel to`be wrapped and wherein unit 46 extends a lengthof the belt between itsrolls 48 andV 50, a length 240 of mat is fed to the nip between thebeltV and the mandrel 104 being wrapped. With switches 280 and 283 ofour control circuit inautomatic position, as the light beam from source270 is interrupted winding PR is deenergized and contacts PR- l close toenergize clutch TC and to activate timer motor TM. After a predeterminedtime the motor opens switch Mfl to deenergize the motor TM. Atthe sametime` switch rITM-2 closes to complete the circuit of winding TDR and tocomplete the circuit ofthe air solenoid winding 284 through conductor286, through switch lTDRl-Z and through arm above the Isolenoid windingbe directed against the belt 76 to beingpwound from sticking to the belt76.

After a predetermined time winding ITDR closes switch lTDR-l and opensswitch 1TDR-2. Closing of switch lTDR-l completes the holding circuit ofthe automatic timer clutch. *The completion of this circuit layed` toprevent unwanted cycling off the machine if the light beam to thephotocell is momentarily interrupted. The opening of switch 1 TDR-2breaksfthe'circuit of solenoid 284 to cut off the air jet to the windingunit.

When the lightbeam is again established at the end of the windingoperation switch PR--Z` closes 'and the circuit of winding ZTDR iscomplete. After a time interval l winding 2TDR closes it associatedswitches 2TD R1 and 2TDR-2 to` energize either the forward index winding292 or the reverse index winding 294. Switches 2TDR-1 and 2TDR-2 are setfor different time Two different intervals are provided to control theindexing in a forward and in a reverse direction. In the conditionof thelimit switchSLS shown in Figure 10 the forward winding 292 isconditioned `to be energized. Upon energization, winding 292` activates`valve `to cylinder 118 to index reel 26in theforward direction. l i

Assuming a counterclockwise rotation of `reel 26, as viewed in Figure 6,to correspond to a forward index the energized .solenoid winding v292actuates valve 247 to supply'uidto pipe 251 to drive carriage 114 to theright as viewed in Figure `6. As the carriage moves rack 132 drivespinion 134 to cause reel 26 to `rotate in a counter-` clockwisedirection. Flow restrictors-250 and 252 control thespeed of` rotation,while roller-operated valves 246 `and 248 c ontrolthe exhaust ofthecylinder `118 in the the automatic timer clutch to perrrntthevcontrols tolrcset to their initial positions.` `That is, when 1LS`opens, the

clutch TC is deenergized to permitL TM1 and `TM-2 to be reset by aspring or the like (not shown) to deenergize ITDR and 2TDR. l l f As thereel 26 approachesthe end of itsv indexing movement in one directionswitch SLS is reversed toesetthe machine to index in a reverse directionfrom the direction of indexing iust completed. l Y

When `the reel reaches its: nal position'the` hydraulic stop includingcylinders` and 152 stops the reel. n

In the course of an indexing movement of reel 26 from the position shownin Figure 2 unit 44 moves to the position formerly occupied by unit 46.l At the same time it extends ai length of belt between its rolls 48 and`50to` permit removalv of themandrel-whichwas just wrapped.

Almas-.the

282. As is explained herein-` 284 causes an air blast to prevent `alength of mat is dev limit switch ILS to. open 4the switch andinterrupt` the seal-,in circuit"` of i Yieel'inel'lc-.xes unit'46 movesto the position formerlyfoccupied by unit 44,and` formsja pocket/of 'alength of the belt about an emptyv mandrel." The machine is now readyfor the next winding operation;

Manual operation of our machine may be`accomplished merely by engagingarms 282 and 290 ofswitches 280 and 288 with the manual, vswitchcontacts. AWith this set-up the foot switch PB1 controls the jet of airto the belt and PBZ controls indexing.-

' It will be seen that -we have accomplished the objects of ourinvention. We have provided a multiple unit mat winding machine whichhas little or notendency to overrun the stations at1which operations`are performed. Our

machineis simpler in construction than winding machines of the priorart. 'The operation of our machine is more certain than that of machinesof the prior art.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further Obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, whatwe claim is:

1. A multiple unit mat winding machine for wrapping lengths of fibrousmaterial about mandrels including in combination a frame, a reel, meansmounting said reel for oscillatory movement on said frame, a crankshaft,means mounting said crankshaft on said frame eccentrically with respectto the axis of said reel, a Winding unit comprising a pair of windingr'olls and a belt carried by said rolls, respective means for swngablysupporting said winding rolls on said crankshaft for movement about theaxis of the crankshaft, respective means for swngably supporting saidwinding rolls on said reel for movement about an axis spaced from saidcrankshaft axis and means for oscillating said reel on said framebetween a first position at which said rolls form a pocket of said beltabout a mandrel to be Wrapped and a second position at which said rollsextend a length of belt therebetween.

`2. A winding machine as in claim 1 in which said means for swngablysupporting said winding rolls on said reel includes a shaft having anaxis spaced from the axis of said crankshaft.

3. A winding machine as in claim 1 including means carried by said reelfor supporting a mandrel during a winding operation.

4. A mat winding machine as in claim 1 in which the means for supportingthe winding rolls on the crankshaft includes respective pairs of armscarried by the crankshaft.

5. A winding machine as in claim 1 including means for driving saidbelt.

6. A winding machine as in claim 1 including means comprising a slipclutch for driving said belt.

7. A winding machine as in claim 1 in which the means for oscillatingthe reel includes a rack, ya pinion adapted to be driven by said rack,and means for reciprocating said rack to oscillate said pinion.

8. A winding machine as in claim 1 including a hydraulic stop forlimiting the movement of said reel in either direction of itsoscillatory movement.

9. A multiple unit mat winding machine for wrapping lengths of fibrousmaterial about mandrels including in combination a frame, a reel, meansmounting said reel for oscillatory movement on said frame, a crankshaft,means mounting said crankshaft on said frame eccentrically with respectto the axis of said reel, a rst winding unit comprising a pair ofwinding rolls, a second winding unit comprising a pair of winding rolls,a wrapping belt common to said first and second winding units andcarried by said winding rolls, respective means for swngably supportingsaid winding rolls for movement about the axis ofthe crankshaft,respective means vfor swingably'lsupporting the winding rolls of saidfirst winding unit about second axis spaced from said crankshaft'axisandymeans` for oscillating said reel on said frame between a firstposition at which said rst unit winding rolls form a pocket of said beltabout a mandrel to be wrapped and said second unit winding rolls extenda length of belt therebetween and a second position at which said secondunit winding rolls form a pocket of said belt about a mandrel to .bewrapped and said first unit winding rolls extend a length of belttherebetween.

10. A winding machine as in claim 9 in which said crankshaft axis andsaid first and second axes lie in a common plane.

11. A winding machine as in claim 9 including means for tensioning saidbelt.

12. A winding machine as in claim 9 including automatic means forcontrolling the operation of said reel oscillating means.

13. In a multiple unit mat winding machine having a reel adapted to beoscillated between a first position and a second position, a reel drivecomprising a reciprocating carriage, means including a piston andcylinder assembly adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure forreciprocating said carriage, means for supplying uid under pressure tosaid cylinder alternately on one side and the other side of said pistonto reciprocate said carriage, and means connecting said carriage to saidreel to oscillate the reel as the carriage reciprocates.

14. A reel drive as in claim 13 including flow restricting means forregulating the speed of movement of said carriage. Y

15. A reel drive as in claim 13 including respective exhaust valves,means connecting the respective valves to said cylinder on oppositesides of said piston and means on said carriage for controlling theoperation of said valves.

16. In a multiple unit mat winding machine having a reel adapted to beoscillated between a first position and a second position and a controlmember adapted to be actuated to initiate a reel movement in a forwarddirection and -in a reverse direction, a control circuit including anautomatic timer, means responsive to the initiation of a windingoperation for energizing said timer, a time delay relay, a circuitincluding said time delay relay and means responsive to the completionof a winding operation for energizing said relay, and means responsiveto the operation of said time delay relay for actuating said controlmember.

17. A control circuit as in claim 16 in which said means for actuatingsaid control member comprises means for actuating the member in aforward direction, means for actuating the member in a reverse directionand means responsive to the position of said reel for conditioning saidforward actuating means to be energized when said reel is in said iirstposition and for conditioning said reverse actuating means to beenergized when said reel is in said second position.

18. A control circuit as in claim 16 including a holding circuit forsaid automatic timer and means responsive to a movement of said reel forinterrupting said holding circuit.

19. In a multiple unit mat winding machine having a winding belt andmeans adapted to direct a blast of air against said belt, a controlcircuit including an automatic timer, means responsive to the initiationof a wind- Ving operation for energizing said timer, a time delay relay,a solenoid for activating said air blast means, means responsive to theoperation of said timer for energizing said time delay relay and saidsolenoid and means responsive to the operation of said time delay relayfor deenergizing the energized solenoid.

11 f 20x11; a .multiple'nnt met .Winding machine having a reel ,adaptedto- 'be nscillnted between a first position and 4a second position and acontrol member adapted to be actuated to initiate va reel movement in aforward direction and inta lreversedirectiong a control circuitincluding an `automatic timer, 'means' responsive to `the `initiation Qf a Windingoperanon `for energizing ,Said timer, a first time delayrelay, an .air blast Solenoid, means responsive A to the Operatinn ofsaid timery for energizing said r'st delay relayfmeans `responsive `tothe completion of a M -5 holding circuit, i

winding operating in; 'energizing seid seegntl `delay relayl me'nsresponsive: @emigration Qfnadsennnsi relay for actuating said cnmrimember and ealns fesponsive to movement "of said reel il?! 2,256,975 y fsepgxzs, 1945 2.663.512 v nec. 12, 1953 i 217421240 cervi-r Apr y FREIGNPATENTS l Great britain gg-g @ggg-June 7, .1.950

